The U.S. men's hockey team cleared another hurdle in its pursuit of gold, and the Americans seized the overall medal lead. Here's a recap of Wednesday's action in Sochi:

Team USA Routs Czech Republic; Russia Eliminated

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The U.S. men's hockey team routed the Czech Republic, 5-2, on Wednesday behind goals from James van Riemsdyk, Dustin Brown and Zach Pairse. The Americans advanced to Friday's semifinal round where they will play Canada, who squeaked by Latvia, 2-1, on Shea Weber's late power-play goal.

Finland eliminated Russia, 3-1, behind an early goal from Teemu Selanne and goalie Tuukka Rask's 37 saves. The host country last won a gold medal in men's hockey at the 1992 Olympics at Albertville, France.

In the other quarterfinal game, Sweden dominated Slovenia, 5-0, as goalie Henrik Lundqvist recorded the shutout. Sweden will face Finland in Friday's semifinal round.

American Ted Ligety Wins Giant Slalom

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Powered by a lightning-fast first run, American Ted Ligety won the giant slalom at the Sochi Games on Wednesday and became the first U.S. man to win two Olympic gold medals in Alpine events. Ligety's first gold came in the combined event at Turin, Italy in 2006.

U.S. Takes Bronze and Silver in Women's Bobsled

Canadians Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse won the women's two-person bobsledding competition at the Sochi Olympics on Wednesday edging out Americans Elana Meyers and Lauryn Williams by 0.10 seconds. Team USA's Jamie Greubel and Aja Evans claimed the bronze medal.

The dual medals represented the first time two U.S. women's bobsleds earned spots on the podium at an Olympic Games. Williams became the fifth Olympian to medal in events at both the Summer and Winter Games, adding her silver to the gold medal she won in the 4x100-meter relay at London in 2012. She also won a silver in the 100 meters at Athens in 2004. Meyers became the first U.S. woman bobsledder in history to win two medals.

Ole Einar Bjoerndalen Wins Olympic Record 13th Medal

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Norwegian biathlete Ole Einar Bjoerndalen became the most decorated Winter Olympian ever when his country's team won the first Olympic mixed relay on Wednesday at Sochi. The gold was Bjoerndalen's 13th overall Winter Games medal and eighth gold. He won gold in the men's sprint biathlon earlier in the Games.

Medal Count

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Thanks to skier Ted Ligety's gold in giant slalom and the bronze and silver haul in women's bobsled, the U.S. surged back into the overall medal lead with 23, including seven golds.